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NepalA Himalayan classic, crossing the Annapurna range via Thorong La at 5,416 m. From the wooded Marsyangdi Valley to the high plateaus of Manang and on to the arid landscapes of Mustang, this route retains the mountainous heart of the historic circuit, which has now been shortened at either end by the expansion of the road network.
At an altitude of 5,416 metres, the Thorong La Pass is the highest point and one of the most iconic sections of the Annapurna Circuit. Crossing it requires good acclimatisation and a long ascent to high altitude, which often begins before dawn.
Situated at an altitude of around 3,540 m, Manang is a key stop on the trek. Surrounded by high peaks, the village is also an ideal place to spend a day acclimatising before continuing on to Thorong La.
At an altitude of 4,919 metres, Lake Tilicho is one of the most spectacular sights on the trek. It is a sight that must be earned: access involves a challenging, high-altitude route with exposed sections, and acclimatisation must be taken seriously.
Find the route, access, permits, accommodation and detailed conditions for each time of year.
Published: August 30, 2026 · Updated: September 20, 2026
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Depuis Katmandou, rejoignez Besisahar en bus ou en jeep, puis prenez une jeep 4×4 jusqu’à Dharapani. Comptez une longue journée de transport, généralement 10 à 13 h au total. Des jeeps privées permettent également de rejoindre directement Dharapani depuis Katmandou. La piste après Besisahar est lente et accidentée, et les temps de trajet dépendent fortement de son état.
Hike up the Marsyangdi Valley through pine forests and mountain villages, with the first views of Manaslu and the Annapurnas. The ascent is steady, with no particular technical difficulties, but this stage begins to gain a significant amount of altitude.
Follow the Marsyangdi River through cliffs, forests and apple orchards before the valley opens out to reveal Annapurna II. The final climb to Upper Pisang is steeper, but is rewarded with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.
Take the spectacular Manang High Route, with a steep climb up to Ghyaru followed by a panoramic traverse with views of Annapurna II and III. The altitude makes this stage more challenging, despite the relatively short distance.
Descend gradually towards Braga and its ancient monastery, then head to Manang, which lies opposite Gangapurna and its glacier. A fairly easy stage, ideal for recovering whilst continuing to acclimatise.
Enjoy a day of acclimatisation with a hike to Gangapurna Lake or, for the more experienced, on to Ice Lake at around 4,600 m. The climb to Ice Lake is challenging, but offers one of the most stunning panoramic views of the Annapurna range.
Leave the last large villages behind and head into more arid, open countryside, amongst alpine pastures and views of the Chulu range. The climb is gradual, but the altitude becomes more noticeable as you approach 4,000 metres.
Continue through an almost entirely rocky landscape to the foot of Thorong La. The stage is short, but some sections on unstable slopes require caution, and the altitude means you’ll have to keep a slow pace.
Climb Thorong La at 5,416 m, the highest point of the trek, in a high-mountain landscape dominated by the Annapurnas and the Chulu range. This is the most demanding day, with an early start, a long climb to high altitude, followed by a descent of over 1,600 m to Muktinath.
Pass through the traditional villages of Jharkot and Jhong before reaching Kagbeni, at the gateway to Upper Mustang. The route then follows the wide Kali Gandaki valley down to Jomsom; the terrain is easy, but the winds can become strong by late morning.
From Jomsom, you can travel to Pokhara by plane or by road. Flights take around 20 minutes but are highly weather-dependent and are usually operated in the morning. You can also reach Pokhara by bus or jeep in a long day’s journey via Beni.
At an elevation of 4,919 meters, Lake Tilicho is one of the most spectacular detours on the Annapurna Circuit. It’s a sight worth the effort: access requires a challenging, high-altitude route with exposed sections, and acclimatization must be taken seriously.
Road conditions leading to the start of the circuit are highly variable, particularly because of the heavy monsoon rainfall that causes landslides.
The ACAP permit and TIMS card must be obtained before departure in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
The two most favourable periods run from March to May and from October to November. Between June and September, the monsoon mainly affects the lower access routes, where rain makes the paths and tracks treacherous; Upper Mustang may remain drier, though this does not guarantee access to the trek route. In winter, the cold, snow and the closure of certain lodges make crossing the Thorong La more difficult.
Typical trends, not a forecast. Check the weather and official opening dates before departure.